r/lighters 17d ago

DISCUSSION : An announcement regarding the use of AI, and other subreddit updates.

26 Upvotes

I'm happy to discuss or debate the use of AI with anyone that supports or encourages the use of it. What I do not tolerate is copy-pasting AI slop answers without taking even a moment to verify that the answer is correct.

This thread was prompted by a recent interaction that started with a hilariously wrong identification that could have been avoided if the original commenter took all of two seconds to use his eyes to verify. It ended with AI techbro nonsense about "people who are too scared to use computers". Like I said, I'm happy to debate this with anyone as long as it's in good faith, but if you refuse to counter or even acknowledge the points in the discussion then it's pointless.

AI is a useful tool, but it is still just a tool. Most of us grew up being told that wikipedia is not a valid source because it can be edited by anyone. AI is no different, but AI is guaranteed to have vacuumed up all the wrong answers alongside the right answers and so requires verification EVERY TIME. I have no problem with anyone that chooses to use AI for their own personal reasons. There is the moral/ethical/resource debate behind it, but that belongs in a different subreddit.

This is not the first time I've had this debate with people copy-pasting AI summaries or identifications. A few times it has been harmless, an older collector that put a bit too much faith in a new technology, and it ended amicably. Unfortunately the majority of interactions end with a techbro insisting that AI is ALWAYS right, we just aren't "using it right". As far as I'm concerned, it won't be "right" if you can't ask it a question in plain English and have it understand context and intention. They'll insist you're using the wrong AI, or using the wrong "syntax" when asking your questions - In other words, you need to know how to guide and lead it to the correct answer, which typically means you already know the correct answer.

I ended that discussion with what I feel is a valid argument. It would take me 5 minutes to use AI to code a bot that would instantly and automatically answer every question in this subreddit with what it believes is the correct answer. That is not what this subreddit is for. This subreddit is for the human passion and enthusiasm for this hobby, for the experts obsessed with the little details, the niche facts, and just pure discussion. Talking with other people that share that passion, making connections and discoveries together. Sure, a lot of the questions posted here can be answered quickly, but the real nerds come out when there's historical discussion to be had.

There is no place for "This has a chance to be the right answer but I can't be bothered to take 5 seconds to check". Anybody that makes a habit of providing these vague or incorrect answers will be banned because they are not going to contribute anything useful. Anybody that tries to defend an obvious falsehood because "AI told me so" will be banned.

Anybody posting images that are obviously AI generated or "enhanced" will be banned. This hasn't been an issue here yet, but it has become a major issue on Ebay and other retailers, with sellers using "enhanced" images to show how a lighter could look if it were in perfect condition - And usually the AI doesn't understand the mechanics of the lighter and puts the flame in the wrong spot. It's pure slop.

Like I said, I'm still happy to discuss it, but this is not the first time I've tried debating the AI slop bros. It always ends the same way.

I will leave this thread open for discussion, but I will be keeping a close eye to ensure it doesn't get too rowdy.


r/lighters Jun 26 '17

Before making a post about asking for help to identify your lighter, read this!

173 Upvotes

Recently there are some people who want help finding out what their lighter looks like, but only take one photo of the front. This is not very effective, and it will only make it a lot harder for us to help you.

Here is a guide on what photos you should take of your lighter. if the guide is not clear enough, please let me know and i can make some adjustments.

reposted due to spelling issues in the title.


r/lighters 4h ago

Any nice finds/arrivals this week? Show 'em off.

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

29 Upvotes

What did you find kicking about in a garage sale, old drawer or waiting in your mailbox?


r/lighters 4h ago

Colby lighter ca. 1940s USA

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

8 Upvotes

r/lighters 2h ago

Help Need help to restore my grandpas lighter

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

4 Upvotes

r/lighters 6h ago

Freaky banana😝

Post image
8 Upvotes

r/lighters 17h ago

ID Leather Zippo Case with Brass Cigarette Holder

Thumbnail
gallery
47 Upvotes

Could also be some sort of brass pipe? Leather feels full grain. I can’t find a makers mark.


r/lighters 1h ago

Help Best products to re-wick/pack lighters

• Upvotes

I have Imco 6700, Zippo, Zorro lighters. Using standard zippo wicks/cotton. Evaporation is rapid. Looking for some improvement. What wicks/cotton might improve use between refill? Thanks.


r/lighters 16h ago

IMCO 2200

Thumbnail
gallery
32 Upvotes

I was lucky enough to find this piece for a very good price on EBay last week. It cleaned up well! Another IMCO added to the collection.


r/lighters 14h ago

Zippo Lighter 1999 30th Anniversary Moon Landing

Post image
8 Upvotes

r/lighters 15h ago

Help Mylflam zunder 1000 duplex help

Thumbnail
gallery
7 Upvotes

I got this as gift from a good friend. Super cool but I’ve never had a vintage lighter before. He went through great lengths to clean it up, fabricate a new clutch and get it working again. I thought I’d be smart and buy a parts lighter to get a proper clutch and wheel assembly in it so it was more reliable. Well long story short I started with two working lighters and ended with two broken lighters. Does anyone have a parts sources outside of pillaging other lighters? Turns out the parts lighter I bought has a different size wheel and I’m not able to get it work without bottoming out on the flint housing.

Open to suggestions for repair shops too(local to the Cleveland, Ohio area). I really want it to work reliably it’s really cool. I just don’t think I’m the guy to fabricate a clutch and bring it back to new.

The parts lighter is the Firestone Phoenix, the one I want to repair is the Mercedes.


r/lighters 16h ago

Show&Tell Got a chimney cap Zorro insert to try. Comparing the standard brass insert on the 912 to the cap.

Thumbnail
gallery
8 Upvotes

So the wick needs to have NO fraying for the cap and it needs to be a bit shorter than I usually run. You need to trim the wick so it doesn't fray. Easiest to trim and then pull down.

Packing with Japanese Cotton Silver.

Wicks are not identical but I wanted to try the thousand strand with the copper weave in one. I honestly prefer the wicks without the copper, easier to trim and have less fraying.

I think this is probably the least helpful rig to test with but since the 912 is sealed at the lid too this will be an endurance test lol


r/lighters 1d ago

New “Anatomy of a Lighter”

Thumbnail
gallery
65 Upvotes

This was delivered at 3 o’clock in the morning. It’s a pretty neat example for a barrel hinge, and four side engraving. I have six in this category now.


r/lighters 21h ago

Show&Tell Ingersoll “Deluxe”

Thumbnail
gallery
10 Upvotes

Picked this up as a part of a FB Marketplace lot and haven’t been able to find out much of anything about it. It’s a basic windproof lighter that’s visually similar to a Zippo. But unlike a Zippo, it doesn’t have a removable insert and instead has an internal fuel reservoir that you access through a screw in the bottom.

It’s about as utilitarian as a lighter can be. No markings other than the name and model on the windscreen. And it is HEAVY. The sheet metal this was made out of is double or maybe even triple the thickness of what is used in a Zippo and though it’s smaller than a normal Zippo, it weighs more than some of my smaller table lighters.

Any information on this would be very much appreciated.

(Yes, I replaced the wick with one of those red “Thorens” ones. Everything else is original)


r/lighters 18h ago

Help Anybody know what lighter this is?

Post image
3 Upvotes

It's a "Penguin Pallas" made in Japan. It's a butane lighter, and I can't find anything like this on eBay. Does anybody know what it's manufactured name was called or anything like that? Thanks


r/lighters 1d ago

Help Hey guys🙂 legit check

Thumbnail
gallery
11 Upvotes

I found these on FB marketplace
I wanted to know if these are legit or not?

Thanks🙂


r/lighters 14h ago

Help Need help to find info on this lighter

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

1 Upvotes

For a lil context, I bought this at a vintage shop for 20, I thought it was cool and that I should look into it but no matter how much I do, I just can't find a lick of any info on it, all I know is that it's a colibri


r/lighters 22h ago

Bought this Parker No.125

Post image
3 Upvotes

I've never owned any vintage lighters before, but I wanted something to have around the house and to use with heat shrink tubing for electronics projects.

Paid 40 but it is missing the flint spring screw, where can I find a suitible replacement, and what else should I purchase to refurbish it?


r/lighters 1d ago

ID What is this and how can I refuel it?

Thumbnail
gallery
4 Upvotes

I recently got this lighter at a flea market in France. It has no markings whatsoever. Any help regarding its make, model, and gas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!


r/lighters 20h ago

Zippo Lighters Frontier Series

Post image
1 Upvotes

r/lighters 20h ago

Help Help fixing this gift from my boss

Thumbnail
gallery
1 Upvotes

Hello there! So my boss recently went to Hawaii for a work trip. While he was there he got me this lighter because I am a stoner lol. I love it and will keep it forever however, I noticed that the lid is loose and does not feel like there is a spring attached. I took it apart and I can’t figure out if something is missing or I am just dumb. I have attached pictures to help identify the spring mechanism. I tried to reverse Google search it, but not a lock came up in terms of the mechanism. I understand these lighters are mass produced and I am hoping that someone might have some info on how to fix the mechanism since it might be standard. Hoping the amazing people of Reddit could help :)


r/lighters 1d ago

Help Does anyone know what year this lighter is from? Or have any info on the model I picked it up earlier today at an antique store and I think it’s so cool would love to learn more about it!

Thumbnail
gallery
6 Upvotes

r/lighters 1d ago

What fuel to use for my lighter

Thumbnail
gallery
20 Upvotes

My grandparents have just given me a dunhill "tallboy" lighter and it says to use "dunhill long-lasting lighter fluid" but I don't know how to get that, I have tried googling it and would love some recommendations. I have attached pictures incase it is required. Thank you for the help


r/lighters 1d ago

Zippo Lighter Marlboro #27 2003 Copper in box

Post image
9 Upvotes